On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Collier Books; ISBN: 0684839385
Paperback Version (okay), 1997.
Course Objectives:
To prepare students in graduate level counseling and psychology curriculums to thoroughly
understand the dynamics of death, dying, bereavement, and grief to the extent that this
knowledge can be applied in practical situations with clients engaged in the therapeutic
process. Upon completion of this course, students will have the understanding to effectively
work with dying and bereaved clients and to provide these clients with therapy as well as with
educational and support resources.
Methods:
The means and methods applicable to this course are as follows:
assigned readings and lectures
successful completion of short essay tests on the reading materials.
successful completion and submission of two small research papers
e-mail correspondence, chat, and verbal discussions
successful completion of a website resource project
Grading System:
Tests: 200 Total Points (40 points each essay test)
Research Papers: 200 Total Points (100 points each paper)
Website Resource Project: 200 Total Points
Participation in Correspondences 100 Total Points.
Weeks 1 and 2: Read chapters one and two of the text, skim the remainder of the book to
get a feel for its general direction, and write a 1 page essay in response to the question the
author poses: “What happens to a man in society bent on ignoring or avoiding death?”
(Refer to general directions regarding how to respond in essay format.)
Week 3: Read chapter 3 on Denial and Isolation and write a 2 page essay in response to
the following: “According to the author and from possibly your own experience, discuss the
process an individual might go through immediately upon hearing that he or she has a terminal
illness with a prognosis of 6 months to live.”
Week 4: Read chapter 4 on Anger and write a 1 page essay in response to the following:
“In the death and dying process discussed in the text, is anger a necessary step in the
progression toward acceptance? Or is it a diversion that can be avoided through therapeutic or
other means?”
Week 5: Read chapters 5 and 6, paying special attention to the dialogue, and write a 2
page essay in response to the following: “According to the author, (a) what is the only way
an individual can successfully work through the bargaining stage of the process, and (b) what
happens when an individual can no longer ‘smile off’ the tragedies and traumas that are becoming
a part of his or her diminishing life?”
Week 6: Read chapter 7 and write a 1 page essay in response to the following:
“According to the author, is it more likely that the stage of Acceptance is one of happiness
and comfort or one in which there is a void of feelings?”RESEARCH PAPER ONE DUE.
Week 7: In a 1 page essay, discuss the role of HOPE as part of the process discussed in
the book.
